On the 10th day of Christmas, my father gave to me... ten 10€ Amazon Book vouchers.I'm going to buy Kindle versions of the books (it's a first for me) so they'll come cheaper, so I'm guessing I can get about 10-15 books.

Now I already have all the old classics (Goethe, Schilller, Shakespeare, Wilde, etc.) so that's not what I'm looking for. Instead, I'd need a list of some excellent books on economy, logic, science, education... whatever comes to mind. Textbooks, pop-science (as long as it's accurate), etc.What I don't want are suggestions for novels, fantasy, etc. I've got enough of those.

Funny enough, our "recommended reading" doesn't sport a list of science/etc. books. That must be fixed!

Be aware, Inferno, from what I've seen/heard, Kindle editions don't necessarily have pictures/illustrations. I've seen a number of reviews complaining that they don't have photographs, like the hardback/softback versions.

Dragan Glas wrote:Be aware, Inferno, from what I've seen/heard, Kindle editions don't necessarily have pictures/illustrations. I've seen a number of reviews complaining that they don't have photographs, like the hardback/softback versions.

This is untrue. I have been reading Kindles for years now and they come with pictures/illustrations.

he_who_is_nobody wrote:I am sure some of those are on your shelf already, but that is my Kindle wish list.

Surprisingly few, actually.

I've stopped reading Malcolm Gladwell. Even though his books are fun to read, they're based on some of the shoddiest research I've seen in quite some time. Especially "Blink"... Jeez, what a load of...

"Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth because they don't want their illusions destroyed." ― Friedrich Nietzsche

he_who_is_nobody wrote:I am sure some of those are on your shelf already, but that is my Kindle wish list.

Surprisingly few, actually.

I've stopped reading Malcolm Gladwell. Even though his books are fun to read, they're based on some of the shoddiest research I've seen in quite some time. Especially "Blink"... Jeez, what a load of...

When you are dySlEXiC, that list is a daunting task.

That will be the first Malcolm Gladwell book I will ever read. I saw him on the Daily Show talking about this book and it seemed like something I would enjoy.

Inferno wrote:I've stopped reading Malcolm Gladwell. Even though his books are fun to read, they're based on some of the shoddiest research I've seen in quite some time. Especially "Blink"... Jeez, what a load of...

Dragan Glas wrote:Strange you should mention not bothering with Gladwell, Inferno.

I'd - finally - bought all four of his books (prior to his latest) and then Jerry Coyne did a review of one of them, where he panned it for its less-than-academic rigour. Gladwell then joined in the comment section discussion - and got panned by commenters.

I've since given all four of them away to a charity bookshop without reading any of them.

I'm trying to mentally go through my bookshelf and pick out what I think are the best Christmas reads.

Doubt: A History - Jennifer HechtLooks at doubt throughout the ages by examining the 'in-between' bits of history where stability was upended into turmoil - fascinating.

The Ancestor's Tale - Richard DawkinsA pilgrimage backwards through time as we are introduced to our common ancestors. By far the most beautiful of Dawkins' works.

What is this Thing Called Science? - Alan ChalmersExamines the different philosophies of science and exposes their weaknesses. Ultimately a bit unsatisfying as there is no obvious answer to the question of what science is grounded on.

The Comprehensible Cosmos - Victor StengerExplains where the laws of physics come from without the use of math. It's still difficult to follow but he succeeds in his goal.

Daring Greatly - Brene BrownRead this one recently and loved it. Self-help with out the self-helpy mushiness.

Aught3 wrote:I'm trying to mentally go through my bookshelf and pick out what I think are the best Christmas reads.

Doubt: A History - Jennifer HechtLooks at doubt throughout the ages by examining the 'in-between' bits of history where stability was upended into turmoil - fascinating.

The Ancestor's Tale - Richard DawkinsA pilgrimage backwards through time as we are introduced to our common ancestors. By far the most beautiful of Dawkins' works.

What is this Thing Called Science? - Alan ChalmersExamines the different philosophies of science and exposes their weaknesses. Ultimately a bit unsatisfying as there is no obvious answer to the question of what science is grounded on.

The Comprehensible Cosmos - Victor StengerExplains where the laws of physics come from without the use of math. It's still difficult to follow but he succeeds in his goal.

Daring Greatly - Brene BrownRead this one recently and loved it. Self-help with out the self-helpy mushiness.

I've only read two but I think they are excellent. Both are short but the ideas contained within are both simple yet difficult to master.

The Gifts of Imperfection is more about how an individual can live a more authentic life. That is how to be who you really are. She talks a lot about the things that get in the way and how to overcome the typical responses to those problems.

Daring Greatly takes a look at how an authentic individual will be reacted to by the people around them (typically criticism, cynicism, or cruelty by those that don't know them) and how one should respond to that to keep living an authentic life.

If you feel like you always have to put on a mask or 'armour up' before interacting with the world The Gifts of Imperfection will probably be more useful. If you already know who you are but struggle with how people are responding to you then Daring Greatly is probably the better choice.